Pentax to release 30 megapixel DSLR next year

As part of an upcoming Japanese photo expo, Pentax Japan recently announced the development of a 30 megapixel digital SLR to be released sometime next year. The 645 Digital has been announced a handful of times over the last three years, and now it may finally see the light of day.

It’s been over three years since we first had news of the 645 Digital, Pentax’s digital medium format camera. Back in 2006, this was specced out with an 18MP sensor, which obviously wouldn’t cut it in today’s cutthroat camera market. While the styling has remained largely the same, the sensor has been upgraded to 30 megapixels, and both the rear LCD and OVF look to have increased substantially in size. The new design looks to be the same as product shots released in 2007.

No pricing has even been hinted at for the new camera, though Pentax did mention the corresponding 55mm lens as in years past. The smc PENTAX-D FA645 55mm F2.8 lens is currently planned for simultaneous release with the 645 Digital. Given how many times we’ve seen this model announced, however, we aren’t holding our breath.